How It Feels to Be Colored Me by Zora Neale Hurston
Sammy Introduction The Harlem Renaissance brought about the opportunity for writers such as Zora Neale Hurston to express herself freely. Amongst the novels and stories she wrote at the time, was her famous essay, How It Feels to Be Colored Me, written in 1928. In it, we get a glimpse of Hurston’s childhood and her insight on discrimination.
Excerpt from "How It Feels to Be Colored Me"by Zora Neale Hurston
"I do not always feel colored. Even now
I often achieve the unconscious Zora of Eatonville
before the Hegira. I feel most colored when I am
thrown against a sharp white background."
Analysis
In Hurston’s essay, she describes to us her memories of her being a child and race and other matters not coming into play. As she grew older and moved towns, she becomes aware of the world around her and noticed, “ I was not Zora of Orange County any more, I was a little colored girl”. She sees this difference and doesn’t understand why anything has to change. She isn’t angry at the fact that she feels discriminated, but yet disappointed on how that actually mattered. She lets us know that everyone is equal, no difference between you and me, except for the characteristics that makes us ourselves.
Bibliography "How It Feels to Be Colored Me by Zora Neale Hurston ." mapsites.net.Ethical Fieldston School. 19 May 2009<http://mapsites.net/ gotham/Docs/Hurston.htm>.
by Zora Neale Hurston
Sammy
Introduction
The Harlem Renaissance brought about the opportunity for writers such as Zora Neale Hurston to express herself freely. Amongst the novels and stories she wrote at the time, was her famous essay, How It Feels to Be Colored Me, written in 1928. In it, we get a glimpse of Hurston’s childhood and her insight on discrimination.
Excerpt from "How It Feels to Be Colored Me" by Zora Neale Hurston
"I do not always feel colored. Even now
I often achieve the unconscious Zora of Eatonville
before the Hegira. I feel most colored when I am
thrown against a sharp white background."
Analysis
In Hurston’s essay, she describes to us her memories of her being a child and race and other matters not coming into play. As she grew older and moved towns, she becomes aware of the world around her and noticed, “ I was not Zora of Orange County any more, I was a little colored girl”. She sees this difference and doesn’t understand why anything has to change. She isn’t angry at the fact that she feels discriminated, but yet disappointed on how that actually mattered. She lets us know that everyone is equal, no difference between you and me, except for the characteristics that makes us ourselves.
Bibliography
"How It Feels to Be Colored Me by Zora Neale Hurston ." mapsites.net.Ethical Fieldston School. 19 May 2009<http://mapsites.net/ gotham/Docs/Hurston.htm>.
Nordquist, Richard . "About.com Grammar & Composition." How It Feels to Be Colored Me, by Zora Neale Hurston. The New York Times Company.. 19 May 2009 <http://grammar.about.com/od/60essays/a/theireyesessay_2.htm>.
"Zora Neale Hurston." Wikipedia. 19 May 2009. Wikimedia Foundation,Inc.. 19 May 2009 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zora_Neal_Hurston>.